Lincoln Developmental Center

Era of Abuse and Neglect Ends as Remaining Residents Depart

On August 31, 2002, the last of Lincoln Developmental Center's (LDC) 370 residents were moved out of the 125-year-old institution. They were relocated to other state-operated centers for people with developmental disabilities and into community integrated living arrangements known as CILAs, depending on the preferences of the residents or their guardians.

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Many families of former Lincoln residents have indicated that the transfer of their relatives or wards to other facilities has been positive once past the initial adjustment of settling into a new place. Their sentiments are consistent with information provided to Equip for Equality's (EFE) staff during visits to other state-operated facilities.

After reviewing the application of the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), which operates all state facilities, to close LDC, the Health Facilities Planning Board on August 15 voted unanimously to issue the permit allowing the state to permanently close the institution that has been under public scrutiny for more than a year.*

In its decision to close Lincoln, the Planning Board considered the following criteria: the validity of the claims made by DHS regarding the quality of care and budgetary issues at the facility, the possibility that closure would create a demand for services that could not be met by other providers within the service area, and how closure might impact the public's interest by causing undue hardship if services were limited for underserved groups. Read the Full Article...

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Spotlight: Lincoln Developmental Center

"The Governor's inability to close this institution quickly due to stonewalling by AFSCME and local politicians placed the residents at risk of serious harm. It was inexcusable to put individuals with developmental disabilities at risk solely for political and economic reasons." -- Zena Naiditch

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